 |
|
Malaysian singer-actress Bella Astillah and her husband, Singaporean actor Aliff Aziz. Photo from Astillah’s Instagram |
During a local TV show, Astillah, 30, expressed shock over her husband’s detention and highlighted her strong friendship with Ruhainies, as reported Strait Times.
“Everyone knows I’m good friends with this actress,” she said. “Why would I plan to catch them? I was shocked myself.”
Aziz, 33, and Ruhainies, 31, were arrested at a condominium in Kuala Lumpur on March 9 by officials from the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) on charges of khalwat. This term refers to the condition in which a woman and a man, who are neither married nor related by blood, are discovered together in an isolated space.
They were later released on bail.
Aziz and Ruhainies addressed the public about the event on March 14, with the Malaysian actress revealing that she invited Aziz to her apartment for a meal with her siblings. However, due to her older sister being late due to a traffic jam, she arrived later than expected, leaving Ruhainies and Aziz alone momentarily, she explained.
She claimed that no evidence of khalwat involving her and Aziz had been discovered by authorities and urged the public to avoid spreading unfounded rumors.
Echoing his sentiment, Aziz said the seriousness of the situation had been exaggerated. He expressed his regret, stressing that it would have been wiser on his part to stay in the lobby of the building rather than in the Ruhainies residence.
The star reported that Astillah was proceeding with a divorce following these events.
Parents of two children, Astillah and Aziz married in 2016 and separated in 2019 following accusations of extramarital affairs by the actor, only to reconcile in 2020.
